Extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devourings of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts.

[Some] women received again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured to death with clubs, refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith], so that they might be resurrected to a better life.

Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated—

[Men] of whom the world was not worthy—roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth.

And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,

Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].

And when our
Brothers and sisters
In Jesus Christ
Are persecuted
By the hands of
The insidious enemy
Our Savior weeps!

And if you listen carefully
And see by eyes of faith,
We can truly imagine
The angels in Heaven are
Singing to the wounded lambs
Of the King Kings,
“Blessed and honored
Are the Triune God’s
Precious children,
Joint heirs,
Royalty on earth now in Heaven
Whom the world persecutes
For they have
The everlasting
Divine approval
Of the Great I AM
And will receive
The gemstone studded
Crown of Life from
Their Savior’s nail
Pierced hands!”

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

[And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

With the immensity
Of our Savior’s gifts,
We should be
Gloriously living out
And celebrating
Christmas
Each and
Every day
All year long!

For His
Precious,
World Changing
Holy Birth
Makes possible
The impossible
By the offering
Of two new births,
The birth of our Savior,
And the gift of Salvation
Eternal life
Given to us
By our Father’s
Most beloved
And only
Begotten Son!

With the immensity
Of our Savior’s gifts,
We should be gloriously
Living out
And celebrating
Christmas
Each and
Every day
All year long!

Nothing can ever compare
To the love of Christ
Being shed abroad
In our hearts.
Not wealth
Not fame
Not pleasure
Not ease.
There is
No greater
Gift of love given
To humanity
No greater honor
No greater hope
No greater joy
No greater peace
Than the glorious
Gift of Salvation
And the fact that
We are gloriously
And Forever
Redeemed!
Redeemed!
Redeemed!

Touch Lives Forever! As.."Love does not delight itself in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. I Cor 13: 6,7 And now these three remain Faith, Hope and Love but the greatest of these is Love!"